House of Commons Hansard #110 of the 37th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was american.
Eugène Bellemare Liberal Ottawa—Orléans, ON
Mr. Speaker, we hear that the results of the vote in the public service have been announced.
Could the President of theTreasury Board inform us today of the results?
Lucienne Robillard LiberalPresident of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for Infrastructure
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that the employees represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada have ratified the agreement in principle.
Lucienne Robillard Liberal Westmount—Ville-Marie, QC
We have always believed that the collective bargaining process could lead to the signing of negotiated agreements for just and reasonable salaries. And this is what we have done.
Let me take the opportunity to thank our public servants.
James Moore Canadian Alliance Port Moody—Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC
Mr. Speaker, a couple of days ago, a man walked through Chicago's O'Hare airport security checkpoint with seven knives, a stun gun and a can of mace. He made it past airport security.
He was caught by a random second security check by airline personnel in the boarding area.
This is a level of security at airports that Americans have implemented since September 11 that Canada has not.
Do Canadians not deserve the same level of airport security that the United States has? In fact, do Canadians not deserve the very best rather than the second best, which is what is in place?
David Collenette LiberalMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member's question speaks for itself. The fact that he has used an incident in the United States that has not happened here to demonstrate weak security proves that we have a better security system in Canada.
James Moore Canadian Alliance Port Moody—Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC
Mr. Speaker, while the transport minister may be proud of his record, let me tell him what Liberal senator Colin Kenny said yesterday. He said that despite September 11, airport ground personnel, aircraft cleaners, mechanics, baggage handlers, janitorial staff and sales clerks are still not scrutinized for proper security clearance and low cost, poorly trained employees are still at the helm of security checks.
While the trained seals in the House may applaud him, his colleagues in the other House are saying that he is not doing his job.
When will the transport minister bring to the House real legislation, not directives to his employees, to improve security permanently, not temporarily, like Canadians deserve?
David Collenette LiberalMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, everyone on this side of the House takes the advice from the other place very seriously.
The hon. member should realize that the United States adopted the clearest procedures for airline workers and all the people who secure air space. The Americans adopted Canadian standards because the Canadian standards were thorough, with background checks, the RCMP and CSIS. That is the kind of security we have in Canada.
Christiane Gagnon Bloc Québec, QC
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of Canadian Heritage said she found it normal to request the names and credit card numbers of the subscribers of small publishing houses receiving funding from Heritage Canada.
How can the minister consider it normal to demand a publisher send a private firm such highly confidential and personal information as the name and credit card number, when the privacy commissioner finds that illegal?
Sheila Copps LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage
Mr. Speaker, when the government gives money to a publisher, it has a responsibility to ensure a proper audit. That is what we are doing.
If the company does not want an audit, it is not obliged to accept the investment.
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Industry.
Canada has a long tradition of excellence and innovation in astronomy and astrophysics, yet our participation in future technologies may be in jeopardy.
Will the minister tell us what the government is doing to ensure Canada's participation in the next generation of world observatories so that our scientists can continue to compete in this most innovative field of scientific research?
Industry CanadaOral Question Period
Bonavista—Trinity—Conception Newfoundland & Labrador
Liberal
Brian Tobin LiberalMinister of Industry
Mr. Speaker, the government is taking a serious look at the long term plan. The field of astronomy and astrophysics is a scientific success in Canada.
In fact Canada is among the top three nations in the world in the important field of science and astronomy. When we can do more of course we will do more. I await with bated breath the budget of the Minister of Finance.
Garry Breitkreuz Canadian Alliance Yorkton—Melville, SK
Mr. Speaker, on top of the colossal waste of more than half a billion dollars, now we have more evidence of bungling by bureaucrats in the problem plagued gun registry.
The privacy commissioner is investigating a number of firearms licences that were issued with the wrong photos. Now we have a documented case of a firearm being registered to the wrong person. The unhappy recipient complains “I do not want to be responsible for a firearm that I do not possess”.
Could the solicitor general please explain how the registry of firearms made such a potentially catastrophic mistake?
Anne McLellan LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, let me remind the hon. member and the House that our firearms licensing and registration program is an investment in public security and safety and it is an investment supported by an overwhelming number of Canadians.
If the hon. member has a specific case that he would like to bring to my attention, I would ask him to do so and I will investigate it.
Gary Lunn Canadian Alliance Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Mr. Speaker, the government's performance in QP on the softwood lumber file has been to laugh and joke at these questions while Canadian families are being destroyed. People are losing their jobs and declaring bankruptcy.
The minister says that it is a top priority and that the PM has been the most active. The Prime Minister talks about his staged photo-ops. Well, it is not working. If this is their very best, it is costing our industry $9 million a day in tariffs and it is going downhill.
What will it take for the Prime Minister to get directly involved in the file and make it his number one priority?
Pierre Pettigrew LiberalMinister for International Trade
Mr. Speaker, it is important for the communities in Canada to realize that no one on either side of the House has been laughing while we have been discussing the softwood lumber issue. All of us and all members in the House are very preoccupied with the fate of communities across the land over the softwood lumber issue.
The Prime Minister has been personally involved on the softwood lumber issue from day one. He has raised it at every opportunity he has had with President Bush. He raised it in the first meeting following the attacks of September 11.
Presence in GalleryOral Question Period
The Speaker
I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of Dr. Julio Frenk, Minister of Health of Mexico.
The House resumed consideration of Bill C-10, an act respecting the national marine conservation areas of Canada, as reported (with amendment) from the committee.
Canada National Marine Conservation Areas ActGovernment Orders
The Speaker
It being three o'clock p.m., the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded divisions on the report stage of Bill C-10. The question is on Motion No. 1.
Call in the members.
(The House divided on Motion No. 1, which was negatived on the following division:)
Canada National Marine Conservation Areas ActGovernment Orders
The Speaker
I declare the motion lost.
The next question is on Motion No. 2.
Marlene Catterall Liberal Ottawa West—Nepean, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. If you were to ask, I think you would find consent that the vote just taken on Motion No. 1 be applied to Motion No. 2, Motion No. 4, Motion No. 5 and Motion No. 7.
Canada National Marine Conservation Areas ActGovernment Orders
The Speaker
Is that agreed?
Canada National Marine Conservation Areas ActGovernment Orders
Some hon. members
Agreed.
(The House divided on Motion No. 2, which was negatived on the following division:)
Canada National Marine Conservation Areas ActGovernment Orders
The Speaker
I therefore declare Motions Nos. 2, 4, 5 and 7 lost. The next question is on Motion No. 3.